Machine for wrapping groups of cigarettes in packets

ABSTRACT

In a cigarette packer, groups of single cigarettes are first assembled by a formation unit and placed in trays carried by a conveyor, then directed in succession along a set feed path, advancing sideways-on, toward a wrapping unit by which each one is enveloped in a transparent or at least partly transparent wrapper; during the transfer from the formation unit to the wrapping unit, the trays are directed past a print unit stationed along the feed path, by which at least one graphic element such as lettering or a logo is impressed on at least one cigarette making up each group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a machine for wrapping groups ofcigarettes in packets.

In the following specification, the term “packet” denotes a wrappingdesigned to contain a group of cigarettes, or tobacco productsgenerally.

Such packets as a rule present a substantially parallelepiped appearanceand consist of a wrapper, in direct contact with the cigarettes, whichmay also be enclosed in a container or outer wrapper.

The outer wrapper, when of rigid type, is made up from a flat diecutblank presenting fold lines and notched cuts and can comprise, forinstance, a body of cup-like appearance, a lid hinged to a back edge ofthe cupped body, and a frame positioned inside the selfsame cupped body,secured to a front wall and to two side walls.

The inner wrapper, in turn, is fashioned from a leaf of metallized ormetal foil paper.

More and more frequently, such packets present lettering and/or graphicelements which, being of interest to the consumer, must be renderedclearly visible and localized to suit the various countries of sale andthe individual brand of product.

For this reason and, where possible, to allow the use of a standard typeblank for all countries, the practice is for packets of the type inquestion to include coupons or inserts such as cards, leaflets and thelike, carrying written and pictorial information targeted at theconsumer.

Conventionally, and in the case of the packets described above, suchcoupons are inserted between the inner wrapper and one larger side wallof the outer wrapper.

Accordingly, the aforementioned wall of the outer wrapper presents awindow through which consumers are able to view the portion of thecoupon on which the lettering and graphic elements are printed.

Cigarette packers require extensive modification to produce this type ofpacket; machines must be equipped not only with units by which thegroups of cigarettes are assembled and enveloped in the inner wrapperand the outer wrapper, but also with a unit for inserting the couponsbetween the two wrappers.

To this must be added the costs of manufacturing and storing varioustypes of coupon, which may be different one from another and thereforeneed to be changed, even with each new production cycle.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for wrappinggroups of cigarettes in packets, such as will be unaffected by the abovenoted drawbacks deriving from the addition of coupons to cigarettepackets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The stated object is realized according to the present invention in amachine for wrapping groups of cigarettes in packets, comprising aformation unit by which groups of cigarettes are assembled, eachconsisting in at least one layer of cigarettes lying side by side, awrapping unit by which each group is enveloped in a transparent wrapper,and a conveyor by which the groups are transferred along a predeterminedfeed path from the formation unit toward the wrapping unit.

The machine disclosed further comprises at least one print unitstationed along the feed path, by which a graphic element is impressedon at least one cigarette of the group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, withthe aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a packet of cigarettes made by a machine according tothe present invention, viewed in perspective respectively from the rearand from the front;

FIG. 3 shows a machine embodied according to the present invention,illustrated schematically with parts in block diagram format;

FIG. 4 shows certain details of the machine in FIG. 3, enlarged and inperspective;

FIG. 5 shows the details of FIG. 4 in a second embodiment, viewed inperspective;

FIG. 6 shows the details of FIG. 4 in a third embodiment, viewed inperspective;

FIG. 7 shows a packet of cigarettes made by a machine incorporating thethird embodiment of the details illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the machine according to thepresent invention, illustrated schematically with parts in block diagramformat;

FIGS. 9 to 12 show other possible embodiments of the machine, all inaccordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates a cigarette packetof rigid type, in its entirety, manufactured on the machine according tothe present invention.

The packet 1 comprises a container or outer wrapper 2 of substantiallyparallelepiped shape (by way of example) referable to a longitudinalaxis 3, obtained from a flat diecut blank 2 a (see also FIG. 3) of cardor paperboard, which presents a bottom wall 4 and a top wall 5 disposedtransverse to the longitudinal axis 3, and four longitudinal wallsarranged in two parallel pairs, a larger pair denoted 6 and 7 and asmaller pair denoted 8 and 9. The two larger walls 6 and 7 coinciderespectively with the front and with the rear of the outer wrapper 2.

The container or outer wrapper 2 is composed of a cupped body 10, and alid 11 hinged to the rear wall 7 along an edge 12 presented by the openend of the cupped body 10.

Also forming part of the outer wrapper 2 is a frame 13 locatedinternally of the cupped body 10, fixed to the front wall 6 and the twoflank walls 8 and 9, of which the function is to interact with the lid11 in such a way that the selfsame lid will be retained correctly in aclosed position.

The packet 1 also comprises an inner wrapper 14, appearing transparentat least in part and placed inside the outer wrapper 2.

The inner wrapper 14 envelops a group 15 of cigarettes 16 disposedparallel to the longitudinal axis 3 and forming a substantiallyparallelepiped block.

The rear wall 7 of the outer wrapper 2 affords an opening, or window 17,designed to reveal a portion of the group 15 of cigarettes 16 visiblethrough the aforementioned transparent inner wrapper 14 beneath, andmore exactly a portion of one face, presented by the cylindricalsurfaces of the single cigarettes 16 making up one layer of the groupadjacent to the outer wrapper 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, numeral 18 denotes a cigarette packer, thatis to say, a machine for manufacturing packets 1 of cigarettes,comprising a formation unit 19 of groups 15, each providing the contentsof one packet 1.

Also forming part of the machine 18, proceeding upstream-downstreamalong a feed path indicated by an arrow denoted F, is a first wrappingunit 20 by which the groups 15 of cigarettes are enveloped in thetransparent material of the inner wrapper 14, and a second wrapping unit21 by which the selfsame groups 15 are enveloped in the card orpaperboard outer wrapper 2.

The formation unit 19 ordering the groups 15 of cigarettes 16 isconnected to the first wrapping unit 20 by way of a tray conveyor 22, onwhich the groups 15 are transferred.

More exactly, and in keeping with the prior art, the cigarettes 16 areordered into groups 15 by a formation unit 19 comprising a hopper 23, ofwhich the drawings illustrate a bottom discharge portion, or outlet,dispensing a flow of cigarettes 16 arranged horizontally one alongsideanother.

The hopper 23 is delimited at the front and rear by walls denoted 24 and25 respectively, and laterally by two walls 26 and 27 disposed parallelto the axes of the cigarettes, enclosed at the bottom by a horizontalplate 28, and partitioned internally by a plurality of substantiallyvertical walls 29 spaced apart one from the next by a distancesubstantially equal to the diameter of one cigarette 16.

Accordingly, the hopper 23 is divided up into a plurality of channels30, internally of which the cigarettes 16 form horizontal layers 31resting on the bottom plate 28.

The front wall 24 and the rear wall 25 present respective bottom edges,lying substantially at the level of the fourth layer of cigarettes,which combine with the bottom plate 28 to create two openings denoted 32and 33, respectively on the left and on the right as viewed in thedrawings, aligned axially one with another and affording access to theinside of the hopper 23.

The aforementioned conveyor 22 operates at the bottom end of the hopper23, on a level with the plate 28, and consists in a belt loop of whichthe horizontal top branch 34, illustrated in FIG. 3, is set in motionintermittently by drive means (not illustrated) along the direction ofthe arrow F, transversely to the axes of the cigarettes 16.

The conveyor 22 carries a number of substantially parallelepiped trays35 spaced along its length at a predetermined pitch and designed toaccommodate respective groups 15 of cigarettes 16.

The trays 35 present four walls arranged in two parallel pairs extendingtransversely to the top branch 34, or more exactly, two smaller verticalwalls 36 and two larger horizontal walls 37, and are open at twoopposite ends of which one faces the hopper 23 at the opening denoted33.

Each tray 35 presents a substantially rectangular slot 38 occupying anintermediate position in the top horizontal wall 37, of length equal tothe transverse dimension of the wall 37, and of predetermined width. Inoperation, the slot 38 is disposed flush with the group 15 of cigarettes16 in the relative tray 35.

The pitch of the conveyor 22 is selected in such a way that with eachstep indexed, a tray 35 will move into a transfer position 39, alignedaxially with the bottom outlet openings 32 and 33 of the hopper 23.

Numeral 40 denotes a transfer device positioned on the opposite side ofthe hopper 23 from the conveyor 22 and capable of horizontalreciprocating motion, induced by actuator means (not indicated), alongan axis A parallel to the axes of the cigarettes 16.

The transfer device 40 comprises a pronged pusher denoted 41, furnishedwith a number of fingers 42 equal to the number of channels 30 in thehopper.

With each stroke of the transfer device 40, in conventional manner, asubstantially parallelepiped group 15 of cigarettes 16 coinciding withthe three bottom layers 31 inside the hopper 23, denoted 31 a, 31 b and31 c from the bottom up and consisting generally in two outer layers ofseven cigarettes with an intermediate layer of six, will be directedinto a tray 35 waiting at the transfer position 39.

Stationed along the feed path followed by the conveyor 22 at a positiondenoted 43, between the hopper 23 and the first wrapping unit 20 bywhich the groups 15 are enveloped in an inner wrapper 14, the machinecomprises a print unit 44 shown as a controller 45 and a printing head46, for example of laser or ink jet type, located above the conveyer andaligned on an area coinciding with the passage of the slots 38 presentedby the trays 35.

Thus, each group 15 can be printed with graphic elements denoted 46 a,stored in the controller 45, applied to a face consisting in portions ofthe surfaces presented by the single cigarettes 16 of the outermostlayer 31 a.

Such graphic elements 46 a might take the form, for example, of a logo,or lettering, or a drawing. The groups 15 are transferred by a pusher 22a from the trays 35 to feed means of conventional type (not illustrated)serving the first wrapping unit 20, which likewise is of conventionaltype and consists in a wheel 47 with radial pockets 48 caused to rotateintermittently and in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, aboutan axis B parallel to the axis A aforementioned.

Each group 15 enters a pocket 48 stationed at an infeed position denoted49, and in the process will engage a leaf 50 of transparent wrappingmaterial separated by cutting means 51 from a continuous strip 52decoiling from a roll (not illustrated).

As the wheel 47 indexes, the machine performs a conventional sequence ofwrapping steps whereby the leaf 50 of material is folded around thegroup 15, which arrives ultimately at an outfeed position 53diametrically opposed to the infeed position, fully enveloped by theinner wrapper 14.

The groups 15 of cigarettes, each in a relative inner wrapper 14, aredirected by transfer means (not illustrated) to the second wrapping unit21, indicated schematically as a block denoted 54.

Likewise performing a conventional sequence of steps, this second unitis supplied with diecut blanks 55 of card or paperboard presentingcrease lines and cuts, which it proceeds to fold around the groups 15,each enveloped in a relative inner wrapper 14, and fashion intorespective containers or outer wrappers 2. Each blank 55 presents theaforementioned window 17 cut from a panel that will become the rear wall7 of the packet 1, breasted in contact with the layer 31 a of cigarettesprinted previously at the position denoted 43.

In an alternative solution to that described thus far and illustrated inFIG. 4, where the printing step is performed on the advancing groups 15of cigarettes by a fixed print unit 44, the printing step in the exampleof FIG. 5 is performed on the groups 15 while stationary, by a printunit 44 capable of movement parallel with the feed path F.

In this instance the print unit 44 can be set in motion by actuatormeans (not illustrated) between two limit positions along a guide 56,disposed-parallel to the feed path F, to which the printing head 46 isconnected by an arm 57.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the print unit 44 movesparallel to the feed path F as aforementioned, and is capable also ofmotion transverse to the selfsame path, induced by second actuator means(not illustrated).

This results in a composite motion allowing the print unit 44 to markthe layer 31 a of cigarettes with graphic elements aligned in any givenmanner, such as along an arc, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In this instance, the top horizontal wall 37 of the tray 35 presents-notonly a rectangular slot 38 but also a curvilinear slot 38′.

Similarly, the rear wall 7 of the single packet 1 in contact with thelayer 31 a of cigarettes will be furnished with a curved window 17′matching the layout of the graphic elements.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the machine in which the unit 19 by whichthe groups 15 are formed comprises a hopper 23′ of conventional typealbeit differing from the hopper 23 of FIG. 4, which has a singledischarge portion or outlet, in that the bottom end is split into threeoutlets denoted 23 a, 23 b and 23 c proceeding in theupstream-downstream direction. The transfer device 40 in its turn isequipped with three pushers 41 a, 41 b and 41 c, each aligned with arespective outlet 23 a, 23 b and 23 c.

In this situation, again in conventional manner, the groups 15 ofcigarettes are assembled by stacking the three layers 31 a, 31 b and 31c one on top of the next in sequence within the trays 35 as these aredirected in succession past the three outlets 23 a, 23 b and 23 c.

Where a machine utilizes a hopper 23′ of this type, the possibilityexists of locating a first print unit 44 a between the first outlet 23 aand the second outlet 23 b, a second print unit 44 b between the secondoutlet 23 b and the third outlet 23 c, and a third print unit 44 cdownstream of the third outlet 23 c, to the end of printing graphicelements not only on the bottom layer 31 a but also on the other twolayers 31 b and 31 c of the group.

The machine could also be equipped with an inspection unit 58, such as acamera 59, for example, located downstream of the print unit 44 (FIG.4), or downstream of each print unit 44 a, 44 b and 44 c (FIG. 8).

With reference to FIG. 9, the hopper 23 of the formation unit by whichthe groups 15 are assembled is connected to the first wrapping unit 20by way of a looped conveyor 22′ driven intermittently in the arrowedfeed direction, denoted F′, which in contrast to the embodimentsdescribed previously extends parallel to the axes of the cigarettescontained in the hopper 23.

Associated rigidly with the conveyor 22′ at regular intervals aredisplacing means, denoted 60, by which a group 15 of cigarettes is takenup from the outlet of the hopper 23 with each step indexed by theconveyor and transferred along a track 61, in a direction parallel tothe axes of the cigarettes, toward a print unit 44 and thereafter to thefirst wrapping unit 20.

Referring to FIG. 10, the formation unit 19 by which the groups 15 areassembled comprises two hoppers 62 and 63 embodied independently one ofanother, installed side by side and connected to respective cigarettemakers indicated schematically 4 as blocks 64 and 65.

The two bottom layers 31 a and 31 b of cigarettes occupying the firsthopper 62 are first directed into a respective tray 35 by transfer means(not illustrated) associated with the selfsame hopper. As the tray 35 inquestion then draws into alignment with the outlet of the second hopper63, the group 15 is completed with the addition of the third layer 31 c.The group 15 thereupon passes under the print unit 44 and proceedstoward the wrapping unit 20.

In this instance, graphic elements 46 a can be printed on the two layers31 a and 31 b that remain hidden from view when wrapped, by a printdevice installed on the cigarette maker 64.

Accordingly, the print unit 44 illustrated in FIG. 10 will print onlythe cigarettes 16 making up the layer 31 c visible through the window 17of the finished packet 1, which must be positioned with theircylindrical surfaces correctly oriented.

The example of FIG. 11 differs from that of FIG. 10 only inasmuch as thetwo layers 31 a and 31 b of cigarettes that either remain unprinted, ormay be printed by the cigarette maker 64, are transferred to the tray 35from two outlets 62′ and 62″ of the relative hopper 62.

The example of FIG. 12 differs from that of FIG. 10 in that the hopper62 providing the first two layers 31 a and 31 b and the hopper 63providing the third layer 31 c are both replaced by a hopper with twooutlets of the type shown in FIG. 11, so that the hopper denoted 63 isalso embodied with two outlets 63′ and 63″.

With this arrangement, the distance advanced intermittently by theconveyor 22 measures twice the distance covered with that of thesolutions described previously, and the transfer means (not illustrated)will direct two first and second layers 31 a and 31 b from the outlets62′ and 62″ of the first hopper 62 into two successive trays 35, at thesame time as two third layers 31 c are directed from respective outlets63′ and 63″ of the second hopper 63 into two successive trays 35 alreadycarrying two layers, to as to complete the groups 15 contained in thesesame two trays.

The printing step in this case can be performed by two print units 44operating in concert during each pause in the movement of the conveyor22.

Likewise according to the present invention, the packet 1 could be ofthe soft type, that is to say with an outer wrapper 2 fashioned not froma blank of rigid paper based material, but from a leaf of pliable paperaffording a window 17 positioned to coincide with the graphic elements46 a.

Again, the packet 1 could be a single ply type, with the group 15enveloped only by the inner wrapper 14 of transparent material.

1) A machine for wrapping groups of cigarettes in packets, comprising: aformation unit by which groups of cigarettes are assembled, eachconsisting in at least one layer of cigarettes lying side by side; awrapping unit by which each group is enveloped in an at least partlytransparent wrapper; a conveyor by which the groups are transferredalong a predetermined feed path from the formation unit toward thewrapping unit; at least one print unit located along the feed path, bywhich a graphic element is printed on at least one cigarette of thegroup. 2) A machine as in claim 1, comprising a second wrapping unit bywhich each of the groups of cigarettes is enveloped in an outer wrapperpresenting an opening or window positioned to coincide with at least oneface of the relative group. 3) A machine as in claim 1, wherein theprint unit is a laser printer. 4) A machine as in claim 1, wherein theprint unit is an ink jet printer. 5) A machine as in claim 1, whereinthe print unit is stationary. 6) A machine as in claim 1, wherein theprint unit is capable of movement relative to the predetermined feedpath. 7) A machine as in claim 6, wherein the print unit is capable ofmovement parallel with and/or transversely to the predetermined feedpath. 8) A machine as in claim 1, wherein each group of cigarettesconsists in a plurality of layers disposed one on top of another. 9) Amachine as in claim 1, wherein the conveyor is capable of movementtransversely to the axes of the cigarettes occupying the formation unit,and equipped with trays each accommodating a group of cigarettes andpresenting a slot positioned to coincide with the area on which thegraphic element is printed. 10) A machine as in claim 1, wherein groupsof cigarettes are assembled by a formation unit comprising a hopper witha plurality of outlets arranged in sequence along the predetermined feedpath, in such a way that a group can be formed by placing single layersone on top of another within the trays of the conveyor, and operating inconjunction with at least one print unit stationed along the feed path.11) A machine as in claim 1, wherein groups of cigarettes are assembledby a formation unit comprising a first hopper and a second hopperembodied independently of one another, from which two first layers and afinal layer are directed respectively into the trays of the conveyor,and operating in conjunction with at least one print unit stationedalong the feed path downstream of the second hopper. 12) A machine as inclaim 11, wherein the first layers are directed simultaneously into asingle tray. 13) A machine as in claim 11, wherein the first hopper isfurnished with two outlets, from which respective first layers ofcigarettes are directed sequentially into a single tray. 14) A machineas in claim 11, wherein the first hopper and the second hopper arefurnished each with two outlets, allowing two groups of cigarettes to beassembled simultaneously in two respective trays. 15) A machine as inclaim 1, wherein the conveyor is capable of movement parallel to theaxes of the cigarettes occupying the formation unit, and equipped withdisplacing means by which groups of cigarettes are directed along thefeed path. 16) A machine as in claim 1, comprising an inspection unitstationed downstream of the print unit along the predetermined feed pathand serving to check the quality of the graphic element. 17) A machineas in claim 16, wherein the inspection unit consists in a camera.